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If you like symphonic rock with a leading lady doing the vocals,
you’re alright with Lana Lane. Lana has got this very typical,
rather high voice, which you’ve got to like, but she’s a good
singer. Ten years after their debut, they release this concept album
based on the historical Shakespeare play “Macbeth”, introducing
newcomer Kristoffer Gildenlöw from Pain of Salvation. The album is
very versatile, full of changing rhythms and keeping the middle
between steaming rock and ballads.
Starting of with the title track, the rhythm is taken to the top
with speed metal guitars. This track (almost 8 minutes) is a bit too
long as far as I’m concerned: it tends to repeat itself. The beat is
taken down in “Someone to Believe”, a gently rocking song with great
rock guitars. I like it when Lana keeps her voice this low. (Can
also be viewed on the bonus video)
The first highlight is “Our Time Now”, a rock ballad with all the
classic ingredients. The song itself isn’t any better than a lot of
other ballads, but the guitar solos could have been on a post-Waters
Pink Floyd album, including the choir this band has used a
lot in that period. The guitar literary lifts the song to a higher
level. “We Had the World”, also a rock ballad, is great from
beginning to the end, with great guitar solos and wonderful
synthesizer interventions.
The fretless bass is used in quite a few tracks and produces
wonderful sounds in songs like the beautiful “No Tomorrow”, a ballad
with Scorpions like elements. Not all songs are top level,
but this album never annoys. Listen to the great guitar solo in
“Shine on Golden Song” or dream away on the wonderful sounds of “The
Vision”. Beautiful choirs, enchanting fretless bass, superb guitars
and great synthesizer solos. This instrumental “slow”, with guitar
solos that flirt with as well Pink Floyd as Neil Young
in his “Like a Hurricane” period is my favourite track on
this album. The song lasts four minutes, I wish it had been eight.
But the heavier symphonic work hasn’t been forgotten either. Apart
from the title track, there’s quite a rhythm in “Keeper of the
Flame” and “Summon the Devil”. Most of all, however, this album
contains symphonic rock ballads with magnificent guitar solos and
the pure voice of Lana Lane, who is known to have an enormous vocal
range.
You won’t be disappointed if you buy this album. |
